Bihar government orders six-month jail or fine of ₹200 for tobacco users spitting in public

The Bihar government has now put in an order for six month jail or a fine of Rs 200 for tobacco users spitting in public.

taking into consideration the spread of Covid-19, the state government on Monday gave orders that anyone found spitting tobacco or pan masala in public will invite imprisonment fo 6 month or fine of Rs 200.

“Spitting tobacco in public places poses a threat to public health in view of Corona, encephalitis, tuberculosis, swine flu or other viral diseases…under section 268 and 269 of Indian Penal Code, the offender of the law will be punished with either six months of jail or penalty of ₹200”, said the order issued by the State Health Department.

Previously, the Centre had also urged the State government to ban the use of tobacco in public places as a measure to curb spread of Coronavirus.

The order put out by the state government has also asked all District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police for its successful execution in their respective area.

However, mani in the state have an idea that implementation of the order will be difficult because 25.9% people use tobacco in Bihar.

“Bihar, by and large, has a rural base and many people here use smokeless tobacco in the form of khaini…so it will be very difficult for officials to restrict people from using it in the state”, said village youth Deepak Kumar.

North Bihar’s Vaishali, Samastipur and Sitamarhi district are the biggest producers of tobacco in the State.

In the meantime, the number of coronavirus cases in Bihar has soared to 66. a 40-year-old man from Nalanda was tested as coronavirus positive on Monday.

Along with Siwan, Begusarai and Nawada the State Health Department has commenced home screening of people in Nalanda district as well to identify those infected.

These four districts have been marked as coronavirus hotspots in Bihar.

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